Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 46% approval rate for Steven J. Ehlenbeck reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which you can compare against the 24% to 94% range observed among the bench at the Atlanta North hearing office during the same period. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Ehlenbeck. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ehlenbeck's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Steven J. Ehlenbeck has shown variation across his 1,083 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 47% in 2016, the figures shifted to 53% in 2017, followed by 44% in 2018 and 37% in 2019. This trend indicates a decline in the latter portion of the recorded window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ehlenbeck's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Atlanta North hearing office
Steven J. Ehlenbeck's most recent office on record is the Atlanta North hearing office, which serves the Georgia region. This office hosts a bench of 24 judges whose most recent records are associated with this location. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta North hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 94% on their since-2016 records.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Steven J. Ehlenbeck has an approval rate of 46% based on 1,083 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 24% to 94% seen among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta North. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows annual fluctuations in his approval rate. It moved from 47% in 2016 to 53% in 2017, then to 44% in 2018 and 37% in 2019. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to the evidence in your current case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While it provides context on a judge's historical tendencies, the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary factors in a decision. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge assigned to your hearing.
